Slotted entry bearing with molded seal

Abstract

A method of manufacturing a slotted entry bearing assembly includes inserting an inner race into a central space of an outer race. The outer race is configured to receive the inner race through at least one slot. Once the inner race is fully inserted into the outer race, it is rotated approximately ninety degrees within the center space, effectively locking the inner race within the outer race. After the inner race is rotated ninety degrees, a molded seal is molded between the inner race and the at least one slot. The molded seal adheres to the at least one slot and is made of a polymeric material. The molding process used to mold the molded seal may be compression molding.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of manufacturing a slotted entry bearing assembly, the method comprising:
 inserting an inner race into a central space of an outer race, the outer race being configured to receive the inner race through a loader slot area, formed by at least one slot; 
 rotating the inner race approximately ninety degrees within the central space, effectively locking the inner race within the outer race; 
 molding a molded seal between the inner race and the at least one slot of the outer race, the molded seal adhering to the at least one slot of the outer race and being made of a polymeric material. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molding step further comprises compression molding. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molding step further comprises injection molding. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molding step further comprises transfer molding. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the molded seal is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible material is at least one of Fluorosilicone, Silicone, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Nitrile rubber, Fluoroelastomers, Polychloroprene, Polyurethane, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Perfluoroelastomeric compounds, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, and Tetrafluoroethylene and Propylene copolymer. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is located on a front slotted face of the outer race. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner race defines a central axis of the inner race, the central space of the outer race defines a central axis of the outer race, and the step of inserting the inner race into the central space of the outer race involves the central axis of the inner race being perpendicular to the central axis of the outer race. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is roughened to promote adhesion between the at least one slot and the molded seal. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner race is not treated with a surface agent to prevent adhesion between the inner race and the molded seal. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the inner race is made of a metallic material and the outer race is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one slot is a pair of opposing slots. 
     
     
       13. A slotted entry bearing assembly comprising:
 an inner race having a radially outward facing surface; 
 an outer race having a central space receiving the inner race, the central space defining a radially inward facing curved surface configured to bear against the radially outward facing surface of the inner race, and the outer race further including at least one slot to allow the insertion of the inner race into the central space of the outer race; 
 a molded seal molded between the inner race and the at least one slot of the outer race, adhering to the at least one slot of the outer race, and made of a polymeric material; and 
 wherein the inner race and the outer race are rotatable relative to each other during operation with the inner bearing surface of the outer race bearing on the outer bearing surface of the inner race. 
 
     
     
       14. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the molded seal is a compression molded seal. 
     
     
       15. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the molded seal is made of a flexible material. 
     
     
       16. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the flexible material is at least one of Fluorosilicone, Silicone, Polytetrafluoroethylene, Nitrile rubber, Fluoroelastomers, Polychloroprene, Polyurethane, Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer, Perfluoroelastomeric compounds, Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene, and Tetrafluoroethylene and Propylene copolymer. 
     
     
       17. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one slot is located on a front slotted face of the outer race. 
     
     
       18. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner race defines a frustospherical shape. 
     
     
       19. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner race has a central opening. 
     
     
       20. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner race is not treated with a surface agent on the outer bearing surface to prevent adhesion between the outer bearing surface of the inner race and the molded seal. 
     
     
       21. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner race is made of a metallic material and the outer race is made of a metallic material. 
     
     
       22. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the inner race and the outer race are rotatable relative to each other in a misaligned position during operation. 
     
     
       23. The slotted entry bearing assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one slot is a pair of opposing slots.